Page 69 of The Retreat
Her voice cracked a little on that last line. She didn’t look away.
‘Do you think I don’t know all this?’ Imogen said finally, not unkind.
Talia gave a short, breathless laugh. ‘You’ve spent two days with me.’
‘Yet, I’ve still got the lay of you.’ Imogen tilted her head, watching her carefully. ‘You know none of that scares me, right?’
‘It should,’ Talia said, though her voice had softened too.
‘Not when I measure it against other things,’ Imogen told her. ‘Like how you came back for me at that assault course, even when you thought it would cost you. How you decided to let me lead you on the trust walk back—though you didn’t have to by then, and it probably scared the shit out of you to let someone else take charge. How you’re sweeter than you want anyone to know. How you make me laugh. How your touch makes me feel. How your beautiful grey eyes make me feel.’
Talia felt faint. But she needed to stay conscious at this moment. Even if that was all she could manage. And it really was. Imogen was sweeping her off her feet. Almost literally.
Imogen reached out and touched Talia’s wrist, light as a breath. ‘And since we’re speed running a relationship, here’s whatyou’dfind out about me eventually. I’m not good at making decisions. I let other people steer. I tell myself I’m just being easy-going, but really… it’s because I don’t trust my instincts. I second-guess myself constantly.’
Talia didn’t interrupt. She could feel how hard this was for her.
‘I let people push me around, sometimes without realising. And then I get angry at myself afterwards. I can be passive until I explode.’ She gave a tight smile. ‘So that’s fun for everyone.’Then Imogen added, almost as an afterthought, ‘And I’m way too good at pretending I’m OK when I’m not.Scarygood.’ Imogen let out a long, slow breath. ‘Woof, that’s a lot, isn’t it?’
Talia stepped closer. Not touching. Just close enough. ‘I’ve seen some of that. But here’s whatI’mweighing it against. I meant what I said at the table,’ Talia added, more quietly now. ‘About you making me remember how to feel… things.’
Imogen’s eyes smiled a little. ‘What things?’
Talia sighed. ‘Hope. Wanting. Pleasure. All the stuff I tried to train myself out of.’
Imogen tilted her head. ‘You tried to train it out?’
‘I did. And I was pretty bloody successful.’ Talia looked down for a moment, then back up. ‘But you’ve gone and ruined all that work.’
Talia took a deep breath and jumped off the cliff.
‘I love how you connect with people. Even when you’re not trying. Like it’s just something youdo. You walk into a room and somehow everything feels better, just because you’re in it.’
Imogen opened her mouth, maybe to deflect, but Talia pressed on.
‘I love how fun you are. I love your voice. I love your dimples. I love that you’re brave enough to admit when you’re scared. And your bottom. I really,reallylove your bottom.’
That made Imogen laugh, a startled, helpless sound that broke the tension.
Talia smiled faintly but kept going. ‘Your touch is… electric. Like every time you graze my skin, I forget whatever I was about to say. Or do. Or be.’ She drew a breath. ‘And you’ve been kinder to me than I probably deserve. You’ve seen me at my worst, and you haven’t looked away. That… means something. More than I know how to explain.’
Imogen’s face was very still, but her eyes shone. ‘You’re explaining it just fine.’
They looked at each other for the longest beat, and Talia felt that familiar fear. Had she said too much? No. Because Imogen had made it clear she couldn’t be scared off. Talia wanted to believe that. And she decided she would.
‘So what happens now?’ Imogen asked, and her voice trembled slightly like she hated needing the answer.
Talia stepped in and gently took Imogen’s hand. The contact sent a thrill through her chest. She felt Imogen’s fingers curl around hers.
‘I don’t know,’ Talia admitted. ‘But I’m sick of Alex. I want Imogen.’
Imogen’s lips curled into a devilish smile. ‘Well, Imogen is taking you into that stall right there.’ And she began to push Talia in that direction. And for once, Talia was happy to let herself be pushed. It was time to let go of control.
Forty-Eight
Imogen’s hands caught the edge of Talia’s collar, gripping it like an anchor as she pulled her into the narrow stall behind her. The door clattered shut. The lock slid home with a satisfying finality.
Talia looked at her, a little stunned. But not displeased. Lord, no. Not displeased at all.
